NETBALL Victoria released the 2023 Victorian Netball League (VNL) fixture last week, with an 18-round season planned for next year. Reigning premiers City West Falcons will be eyeing off going back-to-back after defeating Geelong Cougars in the decider. The first grand final rematch will take place in the opening round in a standalone Sunday fixture on March 19.
The season itself kicks off on Wednesday, March 15, with the other four Round 1 matches played that night at the State Netball Centre. The premier venue will be the main venue for the season, with a number of alternative stadiums used throughout the year. The Cougars-Falcons clash will take place at Wurdi Baierr Stadium in Torquay.
Other venues include Oakleigh Recreation Centre, Casey Stadium, Altona Sports Centre, Jubilee Park, Maroondah Nets, La Trobe Sports Stadium and Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium.
The 18-round season will run until Wednesday, July 19, with the majority of matches played on a Wednesday, and the occasional weekend clashes. The two exceptions are a Monday battle on May 8 between Boroondara Express and Melbourne University Lightning, and a four-match schedule on Friday, April 21 in Round 5.
In 2023, Pride Round will take place in Round 9 on Wednesday, May 17, with all matches at the State Netball Centre. First Nations Round is the other themed round, with that scheduled for a fortnight later on Wednesday, May 31. The Round 11 fixture on that night will also all take place at the State Netball Centre.
Teams will also have a break in mid April to allow for the National Championships, with Round 4 held on Wednesday, April 5, while Round 5 will not take place until Friday, April 21. Finals will take place in late July, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season series.
As has been the case in recent years, first and second place at the end of the home and away season will face off for a spot in the 2023 VNL Grand Final. The loser will take on the winner of third and fourth, who have a do-or-die elimination final in week one. The victor from that week two preliminary final will advance to the grand final on Wednesday, August 9. All finals will be played at the State Netball Centre.
For the full 2023 VNL fixture, click here.
Results on both ends of the scale in mixed round
THE City West Falcons have continued on their winning ways, this time downing the Melbourne Uni Lightning by 17 goals. Melbourne Uni did get the better start to the match, but ultimately the Falcons showed their class and proved far too strong for their opponents. The Falcons were the ones to break centre pass first, […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 8 2024: Time for a road trip
ROUND 8 of the Victorian Netball League sees the competition spread out, in both venue use and days in which the games are played. There are only two fixtures slated for the State Netball Centre tonight, with the rest set to take place in various venues over the weekend. Tonight’s first clash is between the […]
Bendigo Strike down Warriors to get back on winners list
THE Bendigo Strikers have won their second match of the VNL after defeating fellow new side the Western Warriors 60 goals to 45. A quick start to the game set up the win for the Strikers, who just kept building on their lead as the game progressed and fended off everything the Warriors threw at […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 7 2024: Top teams lock horns
OFF the back of an exciting National Netball Championships, the VNL returns to the spotlight tonight. The round’s opening match looms as a one-sided affair, as the Peninsula Waves take on City West Falcons. On one hand, the Waves have found the going tough all season, meanwhile the reigning champions are in a good run […]
Two of these results are not like the others
THERE was an overarching theme across most of the games in the VNL last night – tight results. One of the results that was not though was the match between the Blaze and Waves, which saw the Blaze comfortably come away 18-goal winners. Despite the eventual scoreline, things were tight early. Proceedings went pretty much […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 6 – Waves look to soak Blaze
AS the VNL hits the one quarter mark of the season, there is still plenty of intrigue and excitement in it as much as there was day one. The first match on the calendar tonight may be a one-sided affair though, with the Blaze taking on the Waves. The Blaze are sitting pretty comfortably in […]
Wide margins the order of the night in VNL
ROUND 5 of the VNL was history making, but also statement making. One of those who made a statement was the Boroondara Express, who came away with a big 18 goal win over the Southern Saints. It was a tight affair early, with not much of a buffer between the sides. However, despite the height […]
PREVIEW | VNL Round 5 – Sides seek breakthrough wins
AS the second month of the 2024 VNL season commences, the potentially season defining matches just keep on coming. After coming so close to an inaugural win last week, the Bendigo Strikers might finally break through for it tonight. They face a winless Peninsula Waves side, so this might be the Strikers’ best chance for […]
Blaze maintain composure to stay undefeated
THE North East Blaze remain undefeated this VNL Championship season after a narrow two goal win over the Bendigo Strikers. It was a hard fought contest, but the Blaze narrowly held on for the win. It was a fast paced start to the match, but with a goal defence in Ruby Turner on fire early, […]
